Is it healthy?

“A well planned vegan diet…is safe and healthy for pregnant and breastfeeding women, babies, children, teens and seniors.” And “A vegan eating pattern has many potential health benefits. They include lower rates of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. Other benefits include lower blood cholesterol levels and a lower risk for gallstones and intestinal problems.” and “A variety of plant foods eaten during the day can provide enough protein to promote and maintain good health.”

“Appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases…[and]…are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.”

Note the phrase “appropriately-planned” appearing in the expert analyses. This is important, because no diet that is poorly planned will meet anyone’s nutritional needs, so someone can easily eat an unhealthy vegan diet i.e. only eating potato chips and applesauce, or only white bread and pasta. It is very important to eat a balanced vegan diet in order to get all the nutrients our bodies need.

Read these inspiring personal stories about the health benefits of eating a vegan diet: